Calculating Kindness

Dates and Times

Ticket information

Presented by Undercurrent, co-produced by CPT

An arresting new production based on the life of George Price (1922-1975), presented within yards from where Price lived, worked and died.

Price taught himself the basics of evolutionary genetics and formulated an equation widely acknowledged as the mathematical explanation for the evolution of altruism – something science had been trying to do since Darwin. The Price Equation was so extraordinary, University College London gave Price an honorary position within ninety minutes of him walking in off the street. The magnitude of his discovery shook Price’s atheism to the core. He believed it must be a gift from God. Three years later, Price was discovered in a squat having slit his throat. Seven men attended his funeral – five homeless and two of our greatest evolutionary biologists.

This striking new work, directed by award-winning Director Laura Farnworth, shares the man, his work and extraordinary life. Undercurrent weighs up the question: was Price mentally ill, or consumed by a spiritual desire to disprove his own theory: that man is only kind to his own kin? Price’s radical acts of altruism challenge us to examine our own acts of kindness in a time of austerity and self interest.

Read the Observer’s recent article on the show, ‘The man who proved that altruism is selfish’, here.

Please note, this performance contains strobe lighting.

“One of the most interesting, thought-provoking, informative and entertaining productions I’ve seen recently” London Theatre 1 ★★★★★ “Intriguing exploration of the human condition through the eyes of the man who sought to explain it” The Stage“In bravura performance, Adam Burton gives us a quirky Price who is remarkably engaging” British Theatre Guide“It’s a story that is ridiculously juicy – a beautiful blend of human and scientific considerations” Time Out“The debates are interesting, even for a largely non-scientific audience” The Reviews Hub“Some great performances from Burton as Price, who is very watchable, and Neal Craig and Rachael Spence, who jump between a multitude of clearly defined and interesting roles” Camden New Journal

Post-show discussions:

Making, supporting and funding arts/science projects.Saturday 2 April, 4.45-5.15pm (after the 3pm matinee). Free to (matinee and evening) ticket holders A discussion on how to generate support and funding for arts/science projects and how it enriches the creative process. Speakers tbc.

In partnership with the British Library – researching George Price’s lettersSaturday 9 April, 4.45-5.15pm (after the 3pm matinee). Free to (matinee and evening) ticket holders Laura Farnworth (Calculating Kindness Director) and Jonathan Pledge (Curator, Politics and Public Life, British Library) talk about how Undercurrent’s partnership with the British Library came about, and how accessing the George R Price and WD Hamilton collections at the BL have impacted on the making of the play.

Directed and co-devised by Laura Farnworth

Written and co-devised by Lydia Adetunji

Designer | Lucy Sierra

Lighting designer | Ziggy Jacobs

Sound designer & composer | Nick Rothwell

Producer | Sophie Cornell

Cast: Adam Burton, Neal Craig and Rachael Spence. For full information on the team involved, click here.

Catch Calculating Kindness in a double bill with The Privileged (9pm). Two shows for just £16!

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